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heidikundin's review against another edition
4.0
I have had such a hard time coming up with the words to review Thirteen Reasons Why. Part of me absolutely hates this book for its portrayal of a suicidal teen, and honestly, for suicide in general. I understand when I hear people say that suicide isn't about "reasons" such as these or even reasons altogether. I understand when people say that they hated this book because Hannah was just too sensitive, too selfish, an overthinker, and unrealistic in her "reasoning." Hannah was all of those things, and I loved every single bit of her. But then again, I'm an oversensitive overthinker who has dealt with suicidal thoughts as well, so I found Hannah relatable.
Does Thirteen Reasons Why glamorize suicide? Sure, if that's the angle you want to take on things. But, if you take that angle, I do believe you're missing the entire point.
Thirteen Reasons Why is about relationships and human interaction. It's about day-to-day actions and how those actions can impact the lives of others. It's about taking responsibility for those actions and dealing with repercussions. It's about reserving judgment until you truly know a person, and it's about love, kindness, and being there for each other.
I read this book before watching the Netflix series, and I found myself saying, "This is the first time I've said this, EVER, but I think the show is actually better than the book." Making the book into a series gave time for a greater depth of character development, and since this is a strongly character-driven story, it was perfect. Difficult to watch, but perfect.
Does Thirteen Reasons Why glamorize suicide? Sure, if that's the angle you want to take on things. But, if you take that angle, I do believe you're missing the entire point.
Thirteen Reasons Why is about relationships and human interaction. It's about day-to-day actions and how those actions can impact the lives of others. It's about taking responsibility for those actions and dealing with repercussions. It's about reserving judgment until you truly know a person, and it's about love, kindness, and being there for each other.
I read this book before watching the Netflix series, and I found myself saying, "This is the first time I've said this, EVER, but I think the show is actually better than the book." Making the book into a series gave time for a greater depth of character development, and since this is a strongly character-driven story, it was perfect. Difficult to watch, but perfect.
crystalstarrlight's review against another edition
2.0
Bullet Review:
There's a good message here, about responsibilities and actions and how they play out in ways we can't imagine in others. Good stuff - only it's hard to be sympathetic when our characters are drama kings and queens, being insanely petty and whiny.
A great example of a book I've obviously outgrown, regardless, this book still has a good message for teens and doesn't deserve it's banned status.
I'm waffling on writing a full review, because I can almost guarantee that when people read it, shouts of "Victim blamer!" will be heard near and far, and, to be honest, I don't want to have to argue why it's OK for me to criticize a Message Book. We'll see how I feel - maybe I'll spoiler tag it to keep people from peeking without warning.
Full Review:
A shoebox of cassette tapes arrives at Clay’s home. As he starts to listen to them, he hears the voice of Hannah Baker, a girl who committed suicide, and learns the 13 reasons why she decided to take her life.
Once upon a time, I was a teenager. (I know, hard to believe, eh?) I lived a very isolated, sheltered life with few friends and confidantes. The only place I had to reveal my inner thoughts was my journal – my mom had her own burdens, my sister was too young, my dad was always at work, my extended family too distant, and I was homeschooled, so I had no peers.
Once, I was clumsy and broke my mother’s ceramic cookie jar lid. It upset me for days.
Once, I was trying to print something on the printer, and it wouldn’t stop printing. I was afraid of the printer for years. (OK, stop laughing people!! It was the mid-90’s, I barely knew how to use the computer, and things not being able to stop is my absolute worst nightmare!!)
Once, I ordered the wrong CD from online. I was upset for weeks.
Once in Sunday School, the youth leader asked for questions. I didn’t have any idea of a real question to ask, so I tried to make one up. But when you are cramped on time and have no idea what to ask, your question (and handwriting) gets messy. So when the question was read, everyone laughed at how stupid the question was and how sloppy my handwriting was (they didn’t know who wrote it). I went home that day and sulked in my room.
By the logic that Hannah Baker uses in “13 Reasons Why”, I would probably have a good set of excuses to commit suicide.
Please don’t get me wrong: suicide is a SERIOUS subject. It’s also a very REAL problem, particularly in conjunction with bullying, slut-shaming, coming out, religious differences, etc. It is not to be trivialized. Unfortunately, in many ways, I think that’s what “13 Reasons” did. It trivialized Hannah’s suicide.
Just like I was being overdramatic with breaking the ceramic cookie jar lid, Hannah blew some of her situations out of proportion. People have gone through a lot worse and didn’t choose to commit suicide; why Hannah chose to let some of these incidents affect her so badly is hard to understand.
And that is the biggest reason why I don’t like “13 Reasons”.
The other biggest reason is Hannah’s cowardly reaction to a rape that she observes – after whinging for 200 pages about all the horrible things people have done to her, she then cowers in a corner as a boy rapes a drunk girl. After the horrendous actions in Stubenville, Ohio, where a virtually identical case happened, it’s kinda hard to have sympathy for a girl who sees something wrong and doesn’t say anything.
Oh, and Clay as our Main Character – not a fan. Just so you don’t think I’m playing a sexist, I thought he was a pretty overdramatic character too – of course, part of that could be because we hear Hannah’s thoughts and then read Clay’s actions or thoughts the next paragraph, making his every action MELODRAMATIC. But other than to give us some eyes to see the events through, why was he here? On the freakin’ tapes, Hannah herself says he really didn’t belong as he hadn’t done anything wrong to her – oh, how convenient! Our Marty Stu is there to fret over her and clutch his head in agony, but no worries, he didn’t do anything deserving of guilt! Good thing too – would hate to have to live with actual guilt!
I can see where the author was trying to put an emphasis on how our actions, purposeful or accidental, can have unrealized responses to another. I also appreciate how slut-shaming and sexism was addressed. And I do think that this message book has some good messages for teenagers. But how the message was delivered, the reasons for Hannah’s suicide and how she blamed people for what ultimately is her choice (and didn’t take blame for being complicit in another girl’s rape) make this book “not for me”.
Some people will probably read this review and go, “You are victim blaming! How dare you!” That is NOT my purpose; I don’t mean to victim blame Hannah. If she were a real person, I would accept her reasons, even if I didn’t agree with them. But when a FICTIONAL CHARACTER records 7 cassette tapes of Blame Game, blaming everyone but herself for her decision, send these to the people who Done You Wrong, how can you expect me to think anything but that the character is being overdramatic?
In review – I’m not that impressed by the book. I think there are better Message Books out there that handle this topic. Do I think it should be banned? Absolutely not – there IS a good message here, one that some teens will appreciate and need. But as for me – yeah, it’s not my thing.
(OK, so that's not 13 Reasons Why I Didn't Like This Book - but the title is catchy, no?)
There's a good message here, about responsibilities and actions and how they play out in ways we can't imagine in others. Good stuff - only it's hard to be sympathetic when our characters are drama kings and queens, being insanely petty and whiny.
A great example of a book I've obviously outgrown, regardless, this book still has a good message for teens and doesn't deserve it's banned status.
I'm waffling on writing a full review, because I can almost guarantee that when people read it, shouts of "Victim blamer!" will be heard near and far, and, to be honest, I don't want to have to argue why it's OK for me to criticize a Message Book. We'll see how I feel - maybe I'll spoiler tag it to keep people from peeking without warning.
Full Review:
A shoebox of cassette tapes arrives at Clay’s home. As he starts to listen to them, he hears the voice of Hannah Baker, a girl who committed suicide, and learns the 13 reasons why she decided to take her life.
Once upon a time, I was a teenager. (I know, hard to believe, eh?) I lived a very isolated, sheltered life with few friends and confidantes. The only place I had to reveal my inner thoughts was my journal – my mom had her own burdens, my sister was too young, my dad was always at work, my extended family too distant, and I was homeschooled, so I had no peers.
Once, I was clumsy and broke my mother’s ceramic cookie jar lid. It upset me for days.
Once, I was trying to print something on the printer, and it wouldn’t stop printing. I was afraid of the printer for years. (OK, stop laughing people!! It was the mid-90’s, I barely knew how to use the computer, and things not being able to stop is my absolute worst nightmare!!)
Once, I ordered the wrong CD from online. I was upset for weeks.
Once in Sunday School, the youth leader asked for questions. I didn’t have any idea of a real question to ask, so I tried to make one up. But when you are cramped on time and have no idea what to ask, your question (and handwriting) gets messy. So when the question was read, everyone laughed at how stupid the question was and how sloppy my handwriting was (they didn’t know who wrote it). I went home that day and sulked in my room.
By the logic that Hannah Baker uses in “13 Reasons Why”, I would probably have a good set of excuses to commit suicide.
Please don’t get me wrong: suicide is a SERIOUS subject. It’s also a very REAL problem, particularly in conjunction with bullying, slut-shaming, coming out, religious differences, etc. It is not to be trivialized. Unfortunately, in many ways, I think that’s what “13 Reasons” did. It trivialized Hannah’s suicide.
Just like I was being overdramatic with breaking the ceramic cookie jar lid, Hannah blew some of her situations out of proportion. People have gone through a lot worse and didn’t choose to commit suicide; why Hannah chose to let some of these incidents affect her so badly is hard to understand.
And that is the biggest reason why I don’t like “13 Reasons”.
The other biggest reason is Hannah’s cowardly reaction to a rape that she observes – after whinging for 200 pages about all the horrible things people have done to her, she then cowers in a corner as a boy rapes a drunk girl. After the horrendous actions in Stubenville, Ohio, where a virtually identical case happened, it’s kinda hard to have sympathy for a girl who sees something wrong and doesn’t say anything.
Oh, and Clay as our Main Character – not a fan. Just so you don’t think I’m playing a sexist, I thought he was a pretty overdramatic character too – of course, part of that could be because we hear Hannah’s thoughts and then read Clay’s actions or thoughts the next paragraph, making his every action MELODRAMATIC. But other than to give us some eyes to see the events through, why was he here? On the freakin’ tapes, Hannah herself says he really didn’t belong as he hadn’t done anything wrong to her – oh, how convenient! Our Marty Stu is there to fret over her and clutch his head in agony, but no worries, he didn’t do anything deserving of guilt! Good thing too – would hate to have to live with actual guilt!
I can see where the author was trying to put an emphasis on how our actions, purposeful or accidental, can have unrealized responses to another. I also appreciate how slut-shaming and sexism was addressed. And I do think that this message book has some good messages for teenagers. But how the message was delivered, the reasons for Hannah’s suicide and how she blamed people for what ultimately is her choice (and didn’t take blame for being complicit in another girl’s rape) make this book “not for me”.
Some people will probably read this review and go, “You are victim blaming! How dare you!” That is NOT my purpose; I don’t mean to victim blame Hannah. If she were a real person, I would accept her reasons, even if I didn’t agree with them. But when a FICTIONAL CHARACTER records 7 cassette tapes of Blame Game, blaming everyone but herself for her decision, send these to the people who Done You Wrong, how can you expect me to think anything but that the character is being overdramatic?
In review – I’m not that impressed by the book. I think there are better Message Books out there that handle this topic. Do I think it should be banned? Absolutely not – there IS a good message here, one that some teens will appreciate and need. But as for me – yeah, it’s not my thing.
(OK, so that's not 13 Reasons Why I Didn't Like This Book - but the title is catchy, no?)
sirrydactyl's review against another edition
4.0
I listened to the audiobook and really enjoyed it; listening along with Clay was a cool concept . Both narrators were wonderful. This book brings up so many good discussion topics and I would recommend it for that alone. That being said, if you are suffering from depression, this book could be difficult and triggering.
amulstea's review
5.0
This book completely changed my life, literally. I first watched the show before reading this 2-3 years later, the book DOES NOT DISSAPOINT. but I suggest that if you're sensitive to some topics pls check the trigger warnings.
With my copy I also got 13 questions that Jay Asher(the author) answered, just reading about the reason why he wrote this book tugged on my heartstrings
so basically he (jay asher) used to work in a museum where the visitors would get handed tapes which were pre-recorded with the descriptions and meanings(i believe) of the paintings/artifacts.
but he only wrote this book bcs of his niece (i believe search it up if you're curious) who had attempted, but thankfully survived . So he sat down with her and obviously it took some time for her to finally open up about it, he explains that she could ever pinpoint one exact reason for her attempt.
Which lead him to write this book, and I speak for only myself when I say this .This book made me understand the aftermath of someone who choose to commit suicide, and as a person who did want to commit at some point. This book is the reason I'm actually alive today.
Thank you Jay Asher for writing this book, because I don't know if I would be the person I am today without it.
This review was very long, But I thought I owed it to the book to write this, and to whoever reading this Thank you so much for taking time to read this.
And a last final thanks to jay asher you have completely changed my life
With my copy I also got 13 questions that Jay Asher(the author) answered, just reading about the reason why he wrote this book tugged on my heartstrings
so basically he (jay asher) used to work in a museum where the visitors would get handed tapes which were pre-recorded with the descriptions and meanings(i believe) of the paintings/artifacts.
but he only wrote this book bcs of his niece (i believe search it up if you're curious) who had attempted, but thankfully survived . So he sat down with her and obviously it took some time for her to finally open up about it, he explains that she could ever pinpoint one exact reason for her attempt.
Which lead him to write this book, and I speak for only myself when I say this .This book made me understand the aftermath of someone who choose to commit suicide, and as a person who did want to commit at some point. This book is the reason I'm actually alive today.
Thank you Jay Asher for writing this book, because I don't know if I would be the person I am today without it.
This review was very long, But I thought I owed it to the book to write this, and to whoever reading this Thank you so much for taking time to read this.
And a last final thanks to jay asher you have completely changed my life
jagic's review against another edition
4.0
Very good book. I liked Clay in the 1st season of the show better. He seemed far more emotional and in love. I literally wouldn't mind if this book is triple the size and is more similar to the Netflix adaption.
courtneymay23's review
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
1.5
dontstopreadin's review against another edition
4.0
This is a book I claim to be one of my favorites and as my excitement for the Netflix show coming out about it grew I decided I wanted to pick it up again. I've heard wonderful things about the audiobook, which makes sense given the plot, so I decided to listen to this book. Great decision, btw.
I know this is a polarizing book. Most people either love it or hate it. I get that. I understand and see the criticism for this novel and I don't necessarily disagree with it. But I can't help but love this book despite it, because what it does for people, for teens, is important and impactful and I appreciate that.
If this book can show people how much their actions affect things and people around them, that you don't know everything a person is going through, to not judge or bully or believe rumors, and mostly that standing by passively can be just as damaging as being the perpetrator of bullying, then this book has done a wonderful service.
Perhaps because I knew what to expect, this novel didn't impact me in the same way it did the first time, thus the 4 stars. However, I still would call this one of my favorite books.
I know this is a polarizing book. Most people either love it or hate it. I get that. I understand and see the criticism for this novel and I don't necessarily disagree with it. But I can't help but love this book despite it, because what it does for people, for teens, is important and impactful and I appreciate that.
If this book can show people how much their actions affect things and people around them, that you don't know everything a person is going through, to not judge or bully or believe rumors, and mostly that standing by passively can be just as damaging as being the perpetrator of bullying, then this book has done a wonderful service.
Perhaps because I knew what to expect, this novel didn't impact me in the same way it did the first time, thus the 4 stars. However, I still would call this one of my favorite books.
adrian_1987's review against another edition
2.0
Esta es la segunda vez que me pasa. ESTE LIBRO NO ES MEMORABLE NI NECESARIO
No sé si mi opinión se basa en que ya sabía cómo terminaba porque vi la serie cuando recién salió, pero creo que aún así no siento nada porque no hay nada que me haga encariñarme con Hannah. Lo primero de lo que me entero apenas empiezo el libro es que se suicidó y a continuación procede a contar las razones. Pero las razones ni siquiera me dejan crear un vinculo de empatía con ella. No fue hasta el capítulo con Bryce que sentí lástima y coraje por lo que le estaba pasando. Y no quiero decir que nada de lo que le pasó antes de eso e incluso después fue algo irrelevante, pero no sentí nada; solo estuve leyendo tratando de saltarme los pedazos donde Clay narra lo que hace mientras escucha las cintas porque me resultó confuso que justo después de lo que dice Hannah, hay líneas de Clay con un tipo de letra super parecido y en un principio fue difícil diferenciarlas.
Sumándole a todo esto el final más abierto que he visto en toda mi vida y no sé si sea porque el autor quiere/quiso sacar un segundo libro (sinceramente no he buscado y no sé si me tomaré la molestia de hacerlo) pero no alcanzo a entender qué es lo que se pretende con esas últimas palabras.
La trama es tan pasajera que fui incapaz de recordar un capítulo justo empezando el siguiente. En caso de que no haya quedado claro antes NO SIMPATICÉ NUNCA CON HANNAH BAKER.
Si todavía no decides si leer o no el libro, mi consejo es que no lo hagas porque estás perdiendo el tiempo.
Tengo tantas cosas malas de las que hablar del libro pero no quiero desperdiciar mi tiempo escribiéndolas, así como lo desperdicié leyéndolo.
No sé si mi opinión se basa en que ya sabía cómo terminaba porque vi la serie cuando recién salió, pero creo que aún así no siento nada porque no hay nada que me haga encariñarme con Hannah. Lo primero de lo que me entero apenas empiezo el libro es que se suicidó y a continuación procede a contar las razones. Pero las razones ni siquiera me dejan crear un vinculo de empatía con ella. No fue hasta el capítulo con Bryce que sentí lástima y coraje por lo que le estaba pasando. Y no quiero decir que nada de lo que le pasó antes de eso e incluso después fue algo irrelevante, pero no sentí nada; solo estuve leyendo tratando de saltarme los pedazos donde Clay narra lo que hace mientras escucha las cintas porque me resultó confuso que justo después de lo que dice Hannah, hay líneas de Clay con un tipo de letra super parecido y en un principio fue difícil diferenciarlas.
Sumándole a todo esto el final más abierto que he visto en toda mi vida y no sé si sea porque el autor quiere/quiso sacar un segundo libro (sinceramente no he buscado y no sé si me tomaré la molestia de hacerlo) pero no alcanzo a entender qué es lo que se pretende con esas últimas palabras.
La trama es tan pasajera que fui incapaz de recordar un capítulo justo empezando el siguiente. En caso de que no haya quedado claro antes NO SIMPATICÉ NUNCA CON HANNAH BAKER.
Si todavía no decides si leer o no el libro, mi consejo es que no lo hagas porque estás perdiendo el tiempo.
Tengo tantas cosas malas de las que hablar del libro pero no quiero desperdiciar mi tiempo escribiéndolas, así como lo desperdicié leyéndolo.